A Ledger Blog

News, notes and observations about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Back in 2007, Tampa Bay guard Davin Joseph started a tradition that caught on like a wildfire. He got with the rest of the offensive line and would give out turkey dinners to needy families. Joseph called it “Turkey Time with the O-Line.” This year, Joseph is no longer with the squad but offensive lineman Demar Dotson wanted to carry out the tradition. He texted Joseph to get the former Bucs’ blessing and then started preparation. On Monday, Dotson and… Read More »

Tampa Bay right tackle Demar Dotson is like a gentle giant off the field despite being 6-foot-9. He doesn’t say much. So when he says it’s time for the 0-3 Bucs to man up and play with some pride, I’m sure some of the guys listened. Dotson was still upset over the team’s 56-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday and said if they don’t tighten up, this Sunday at Pittsburgh won’t be pretty either. “I’m tired of losing,”… Read More »

Anthony Gaitor was a player most people liked. Despite his size (5-foot-10, 182-pounds), people loved Gaitor’s toughness and ability to be around the ball. When the Bucs took him in the seventh round in 2011, no one expected much but Gaitor proved himself. However, injuries limited him to 12 games over that span and he was released. With the injuries to cornerbacks Alterraun Verner (hamstring) and Rashaan Melvin (ankle), the Bucs brought him back Monday “When we released Anthony, I… Read More »

The first day of the Tampa Bay Bucs 2014 training camp was marred first by Mother Nature, later by the news of guard Carl Nicks not returning to the team. Lightning strikes in the area got the team off the field 10 minutes into the first training camp practice. After more than a 90-minute delay, the club returned to the field for about 45 minutes before more lightning in the area ended practice for the day. Head coach Lovie Smith… Read More »

No serious injuries to report coming out of day two of training camp for the Tampa Bay Bucs. Defensive tackle Gary Gibson, who is battling for the starting position, did not go on Friday after twisting his leg on Thursday. He said it was nothing serious and would return soon. I would have to say the defense got the best of the offense on Friday. Rookie corner Johnthan Banks showed why the Bucs like him, grabbing an interception of quarterback… Read More »

The Tampa Bay Bucs signed tackle Demar Dotson to a four-year deal on Thursday. Overthecap.com reported the deal worth $4.5 million. Big Dot has come a long way from his basketball days at Southern Miss. Last year, he started 15 games at right tackle and worked hard enough to garner another contract. He was about to begin the final year of a two-year deal. This year, he was scheduled to make a reported $2 million. He still has some things… Read More »

We all know the success San Diego tight end Antonio Gates and future hall of famer Tony Gonzalez have on the football field. Most of their athleticism can be traced back to their collegiate days where both were members of their basketball teams as well as football programs. With the NBA losing part of its season, Miami Heat star LeBron James has inquired about playing football. Some think he would be a natural tight end. Keeping with this theme, don’t expect the Bucs to come knocking on James’… Read More »

Tampa Bay got its last draft pick signed on Saturday as sixth-round draft pick Allen Bradford signed. Bradford is a running back out of the University of Southern California. He had 1,585 yards and 16 touchdowns in 52 games. The club also announced that defensive end Michael Bennett, tackle Demar Dotson and defensive tackle Frank Okam signed their tenders.

In addition to his starting quarterback on the rack, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris was added on Monday. Morris had to call off his scheduled talk with the media because of a stomach virus. General Manager Mark Dominik took his place and gave an update. Dominik said starting quarterback Josh Freeman is still scheduled to be ready to play by the opening week of the regular season. Freeman fractured the top tip of his thumb during Saturday’s preseason… Read More »

Donald Penn has a decision to make. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting left tackle has not signed his one-year tender offer of $3.168 million and has not attended any of the team’s offseason training activities. On Thursday, Bucs general manager Mark Dominik said if Penn doesn’t sign by June 15, the Bucs will retract their tender offer and offer him 110 percent of last season’s salary. Penn made a reported $2.8 million in 2009. “We want him to sign the tender… Read More »